The Columbia Undergraduate Science Journal is a peer-reviewed, professional-level, open-access academic publication that is committed to publishing manuscripts of the highest scholarship resulting from significant scientific research or outstanding scientific analysis. Each paper published in the CUSJ undergoes a double-blind peer review process facilitated by the Journal's Editorial Review Board and a faculty review by a member of the Faculty Advisory Board. Publication in the CUSJ is highly competitive.

The CUSJ has two primary goals. First, the CUSJ aims to (1) publish works of the highest scholarship authored primarily by undergraduates. Second, the CUSJ aims to (2) educate students about the academic publication process, both from the inside as a member of the CUSJ staff and from the outside as a submitter to a scientific journal with academic standards that are as rigorous as any professional-level scientific publication.

Authors published in the CUSJ retain all rights to their work except the right to publish (or submit for publication) that work, in part or whole, in any other another undergraduate-level publication. CUSJ email addresses for authors are provided for correspondence purposes only and do not in any way indicate a prior or current relationship with the CUSJ.